The MRT Orange Line in Bangkok, Thailand, is currently underway. In the future, this will complement the existing MRT network and provide a link between the eastern suburbs of Bangkok and the city centre.
Thai Bauer Co Ltd - the local subsidiary of Bauer Spezialtiefbau - was recently commissioned by the project’s contractor, the Joint Venture Ch. Karnchang – Sino Thai, to carry out various specialist foundation engineering works for the construction of the new metro line. More than 370 bored piles with diameters of between 800 and 2,000 mm are being drilled to a depth of between 40 and 65 m, and approximately 58,600 sq m of diaphragm wall with a width of 800 to 1,000 mm are being constructed down to a depth of 27 m.
“The challenges of this project are diverse,” said Mike Sinkinson, managing director of Thai Bauer. “First of all, extremely stringent tolerances for the installation of the bored piles have to be kept, while work is required to be carried out above existing tunnels, so great care and accuracy are essential for the success of this project.” In addition, during rainy season, the stability of the subsoil and access to the site need to be ensured. “Also, the logistics between the steel processing locations and the respective application areas must be regulated and access to the construction site via the main road must always be available,” added Mr Sinkinson.
Work started in March 2018, and the completion of Thai Bauer’s specialist foundation work is planned for early 2019. The completion of the new Orange Line is expected to take place in 2022.
